Gateway Freedom Monument Final Dedication Set for July 2 in Alamogordo as Part of America 250 Celebration

Alamogordo, NM — On Thursday, July 2, 2026, Alamogordo will do a final  formal dedication of the Gateway Freedom Monument at the prominent corner of U.S. Highways 54 and 70. The event, part of the national America 250 celebration marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, will feature a National Anthem at 11:57 a.m., an F-16 flyover at noon, and free hot dogs and apple pie for the first 300 guests.

This ceremony builds on an initial ribbon-cutting held in December 2025, transforming what began as a community vision into a powerful, permanent symbol of military heritage, sacrifice, and civic pride.

Origins and Vision

The Gateway Freedom Monument grew from a community partnership envisioned as the F-4 Phantom Project, conceived as a striking gateway marker to welcome visitors and residents alike to the Tularosa Basin. Positioned at a key intersection near the Maverik station, the site was chosen to highlight Alamogordo’s deep ties to Holloman Air Force Base and the region’s role in national defense.

The centerpiece is a restored F-4 Phantom II fighter jet—one of the iconic aircraft that served at Holloman for 48 years across multiple variants. The jet, owned by the City of Alamogordo, represents the enduring partnership between the base and the community. What started as an idea to honor that legacy quickly evolved into a broader community initiative.

Project Rise, a nonprofit incorporated in March 2025 with a mission centered on Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (RISE), became the driving force behind the project. Its first major undertaking, the monument embodies military-community collaboration and civic pride. Partners included the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce, City of Alamogordo, Holloman AFB leadership, Otero County, and local organizations. The city committed to maintaining the site as a public park and owns the jet. 

Evolution: Challenges, Milestones, and Community Spirit

Development spanned more than a year, marked by determination amid setbacks including weather delays and paving complications from heavy rains. Groundwork advanced through 2025, culminating in the dramatic crane lift of the restored F-4 Phantom into its permanent display position just weeks before the December 8, 2025, ribbon-cutting ceremony.

That initial event drew Holloman personnel, city leaders (including then-interim City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez, former Mayor Susan Payne and then Mayor-Elect Sharon McDonald), county officials, contractors, and residents. An F-16 flyover paid tribute to the base-community bond. Plaques recognized key contributors, and speakers emphasized the monument’s role as both a landmark and a rallying point for future growth along the U.S. 54/70 corridor.

Volunteers and Restoration: Thousands of Hours, Countless Hands

The heart of the project lies in its extraordinary volunteer effort. Restoration of the historic F-4 Phantom II required hundreds of volunteer hours from Holloman Air Force Base personnel, coordinated notably by Christopher Calhoun (49th Maintenance Group deputy director of operations) and Master Sgt. Derek Spencer (846th Test Squadron senior enlisted leader). Local contractors and businesses donated time, materials, expertise, and funds—exemplifying the “American spirit” praised by Chamber leaders.

Reports indicate more than 150 volunteers contributed an estimated 10,000+ volunteer hours overall. Recent efforts, such as the prominent signage installed in June 2026, continued this tradition of local patriots giving their time, effort, and resources. Businesses like General Hydronics Utilities providing dirt fill, MAS Metal Works, New Mexico Gas, Distinct Concrete, and many more contractors and individuals stepped up selflessly from beginning to end. 

Project Rise also launched a memorial brick program, allowing community members to personalize bricks (starting at $150) honoring heroes, loved ones, or milestones—further embedding personal stories into the monument’s foundation.

Looking Forward: A Living Legacy

With the July 2, 2026, dedication, the Gateway Freedom Monument transitions from construction milestone to active community asset. As a maintained public park and signature landmark, it will serve as:

• A site for patriotic events, veterans’ commemorations, and educational programs

• A catalyst for economic development, tourism, and redevelopment along the gateway corridor

• A place for reflection on freedom, military service, and the values that unite Alamogordo

• An inspiration for future projects blending history, community pride, and progress

Organizers view it as the beginning of a new chapter—one that strengthens Alamogordo’s identity as a place where military heritage and civilian resilience converge.

“We will join the ribbon-cutting celebration for the new Gateway Freedom Monument,” local leaders have shared, underscoring the collective achievement. The formal dedication on July 2 will amplify that pride with the pageantry of an F-16 flyover and America 250 festivities.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to attend early, bring lawn chairs, and celebrate this hard-won symbol of freedom. For memorial brick information or volunteer opportunities with Project Rise and partner organizations, contact the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce or visit local project updates.

The Gateway Freedom Monument stands not merely as restored steel and concrete, but as living proof of what a community can achieve when it honors its past while building boldly for the future.

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